THE Hamilton and District Cricket Association (HDCA) team has finished its Melbourne Country Week campaign with two wins and two losses.

The Hurricanes were in contention for finals yesterday up until the round four contest, with the team eventually finishing sixth on the ladder after four games.

The week started positively with Hamilton easily accounting for Sunraysia, winning by nine wickets.

Carey Megaw grabbed a five-wicket haul to start the week with a personal highlight.

Sam Wilson also impressed, smashing his way to 107 from 88 balls before retiring with the game well and truly in hand for the Hurricanes.

Round two saw the team face Bairnsdale, as Jacob Edwards was the standout bowler with 3-52, with Hamilton forced to chase 264 to maintain its unbeaten record.

Despite Wilson’s best efforts with 42 at the top of the order, partnerships struggled with Oscar Newell (54-not-out) and Darryl Fry (30-not-out) were the only others to score more than 25, with the side restricted to 6-209.

A familiar foe awaited the HDCA next, taking on South West and it was different contributors once again for Hamilton.

Captain-coach, Rick Killey, added 70 to the total along with an unbeaten 56 from Lachie Warburton, as Hamilton put up 8-220 after 50 overs.

The bowlers did an impeccable job, bowling South West out for 130 inside 41 overs.

Logan Gibbs, Killey, Wilson and Newell each grabbed two wickets.

Cricket LaTrobe Valley was Thursday’s opponent and it was a spot in the final up for grabs, with Hamilton losing its first coin toss of the week and sent to the crease first.

It was tough going with the top four batsmen combining for 33 runs, and with the team struggling at 6-78, Hamish Withers (23), Megaw (27), and Lachie Warburton (30-not-out) scored late innings runs to push the total up to 8-187 after 50 overs.

Hamilton’s bowlers were unable to restrict scoring, with the team losing by five wickets inside 32 overs.

Warburton was the only multiple wicket-taker with two.

Killey said the team exceeded his expectations going into the week.

“I reckon it was really good, considering the group we got together late,” he said.

“I was ringing people in the last week, a fair few pulled out and some weren’t available.

“I was surprised, I thought maybe we’d pinch one win and to win two and miss out just was a good effort.”

Grabbing bragging rights over South West was also enjoyable, but was disappointed to miss finals on Friday.

“The frustrating part is they made the division three final and we didn’t, but we beat them pretty comfortably.”

Rotating players throughout the week was also important, particularly in game with warmer weather in Melbourne.

“I changed up the team most days, just so everyone had a hit and everyone had a bowl,” he said.

“It was good to have Hamish Withers as vice-captain, he had knowledge of the Portland guys, and Darryl Fry was also vice-captain, so I could go off a couple of times and leave them in charge.

“You don’t really know them until you get down there, but then once you get to know them, you form those friendships.”

It was also Killey’s first time as captain-coach, and said he enjoyed the experience.

“It was good, busy though,” he said.

“You try and have a break on the field, but you continue to think nonstop.

“I think this is my sixth time down here, I would put my hand to do it again.”